Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was at one time Mendenhall’s offensive coordinator with the Steelers.

Mendenhall had led the Steelers in rushing for three straight seasons before a disappointing 2012 season marred by injuries and a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

He was suspended for a game in December for not attending a loss to the Chargers after he found out he wouldn’t dress for the game. He also was inactive for two games after fumbling twice on four carries in a loss to the Browns.

Mendenhall also was slowed by injuries last season. He tore the ACL in his right knee in Week 17 of the 2011 season and didn’t return until Oct. 4 of last season. His return didn’t last long, though, as he strained his right Achilles four days later.

The 25-year-old running back has rushed for 3,549 yards and 29 touchdowns in 57 career games.

The Cardinals released running back Beanie Wells last week.

The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Wells was envisioned as a power running back to anchor Arizona’s offense, but injuries and inconsistent play kept him from being a regular threat. He had only three 100-yard rushing games in his four seasons in the desert.

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Senators general manager Bryan Murray said Thursday the surgery went well. He also said 70 percent of the tendon was cut.

“It was a clean cut and recovery is expected to be 100 percent,” Murray said. “But it does mean his year finishes at this time.”

The Norris Trophy winner last season as the NHL’s top defenseman, the 22-year-old Karlsson was cut by the blade of Pittsburgh forward Matt Cooke’s skate as the two tangled along the boards late in the second period Wednesday night in Pittsburgh in the Senators’ 4-2 loss.

Murray said Karlsson felt he “got directed and got cut with a skate that shouldn’t be where it was.”

The loss of Karlsson is a big one to Ottawa, which already is without star forward Jason Spezza. He is out after having back surgery for a herniated disk.

The NHL’s Department of Player safety reviewed the incident and felt no supplementary discipline was required. Murray was very disappointed with that decision but said his biggest concern now is dealing with the loss of Karlsson to his hockey club.

“I’m outraged by the fact we lost Erik Karlsson,” Murray said. “I’m disappointed for him, I’m disappointed for the players on our team and the coaching staff and the fans of the city.

“The league suggested it was a hockey play gone bad and I suggested that Matt Cooke has somewhat of a history and maybe that should be considered as well, but I don’t believe that’s the approach they took. They took it as the individual act.”

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